LOS ANGELES, July 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Security officers with SEIU who protect Kaiser Permanente hospitals nationwide voted overwhelmingly today to ratify their first-ever union contract. The three year contract with private security company Securitas — which is contracted by Kaiser to protect its facilities — includes family healthcare and higher wages for the 2,000 officers nationwide.

“This is a great victory,” said Dale Brown, an officer who protects the South Sacramento Kaiser Permanente Hospital. “Like any parent, I worry about being able to take care of my children if they get sick. I’m happy that I will be able to depend on quality care at the same Kaiser facilities that I protect every day.”

The historic contract will increase hourly wages by at least $.40 per year, and ensure quality healthcare for officers and their families. For many officers the salary increase will be much greater as the contract sets new minimum wages.

“Winning healthcare and wage increases is not only a momentous victory for security officers at Kaiser, it also demonstrates that when workers come together and form a union they can win a path to the middle class,” said Eddie Iny, Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU United Service Workers West. “All parties should be applauded for coming together to reach a fair and just agreement.”

Details of contract

Healthcare

Kaiser healthcare plan with no deductible, no cost for hospitalization, and $10 co-pays for doctor visits and prescriptions.

Wages

Hourly wage increase of $.40 per year over life of the three year contract. New minimum wage rates for all regions, meaning that the lowest paid officers will see an initial increase up to $1.20.

Paid leave

Two days per year of paid sick leave, and two days paid bereavement leave. Paid holidays have increased to a total of seven days per year.

Job protections

For the first time officers who are stationed at Kaiser will be protected by a grievance procedure that prevents unfair and arbitrary treatment.

The new contract is the first ever for security officers who protect Kaiser Permanente facilities and also has national significance–it is the first national union contract for security officers.

Over the last three years, over 7,000 security officers across California have joined SEIU United Service Workers West and improved their working conditions, wages and health care coverage. The officers join over 30,000 security officers nationwide who have come together in SEIU to raise standards and improve safety across the industry.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Property Service Division represents 300,000 janitors, security officers, airport service workers, and other property service workers across the country, including more than 40,000 in California who are members of SEIU United Service Workers West. SEIU is the fastest growing labor union in the Americas with more than 2 million members.